VANCOMYCIN (Oral)
Some commonly used brand names are:
In the U.S.?
In Canada?
Category
- Antibacterial, oral-local
Description
Vancomycin (van-koe-MYE-sin) belongs to the familyof medicines called antibiotics. Antibiotics are medicines used in the treatmentof infections caused by bacteria.
Vancomycin is taken by mouth to treat a certain type of diarrhea or colitis(an inflammation of the large intestine) caused by a certain type of bacteria.Vancomycin will not work for colds, flu, or other virus infections. Vancomycinmay also be used for other conditions as determined by your doctor.
Vancomycin is available only with your doctor's prescription, in the followingdosage forms:
Oral- Capsules (U.S. and Canada)
- Oral solution (U.S.)
Before Using This Medicine
In deciding to use a medicine,the risks of taking the medicine must be weighed against the good it willdo. This is a decision you and your doctor will make. For oral vancomycin,the following should be considered:
Allergies?Tell your doctor if you have ever had any unusual orallergic reaction to oral vancomycin. Also tell your health care professionalif you are allergic to any other substances, such as foods, preservatives,or dyes.
Pregnancy?Studies with oral vancomycin have not been done ineither humans or animals.
Breast-feeding?Vancomycin passes into breast milk. However, whentaken by mouth, only small amounts of vancomycin are absorbed into the mother'sbody. In addition, vancomycin is not absorbed very much from the digestivetract (stomach and intestines) of the nursing infant and, therefore, is notexpected to cause problems in the nursing infant.
Children?Although there is no specific information comparinguse of oral vancomycin in children with use in other age groups, this medicineis not expected to cause different side effects or problems in children thanit does in adults.
Older adults?Many medicines have not been studied specificallyin older people. Therefore, it may not be known whether they work exactlythe same way they do in younger adults. Although there is no specific informationcomparing use of oral vancomycin in the elderly with use in other age groups,this medicine is not expected to cause different side effects or problemsin older people than it does in younger adults.
Other medicines?Although certain medicines should not be usedtogether at all, in other cases two different medicines may be used togethereven if an interaction might occur. In these cases, your doctor may want tochange the dose, or other precautions may be necessary. When you are takingoral vancomycin, it is especially important that your health care professionalknow if you are taking any of the following:
- Cholestyramine (e.g., Questran) or
- Colestipol (e.g., Colestid)?Use of these medicines with oralvancomycin may decrease the effects of oral vancomycin; oral vancomycin andthese medicines should be taken several hours apart
Other medical problems?The presence of other medicalproblems may affect the use of oral vancomycin. Make sure you tell your doctorif you have any other medical problems, especially:
- Kidney disease, severe, or
- Other inflammatory bowel disorders?Patients with these medicalproblems may have an increased chance of side effects
Proper Use of This Medicine
For patientstaking the oral liquid form of vancomycin:
- Use a specially marked measuring spoon or other device to measureeach dose accurately. The average household teaspoon may not hold the rightamount of liquid.
- Do not use after the expiration date on the label. The medicine maynot work properly after that date. Check with your pharmacist if you haveany questions about this.
To help clear up your colitis completely, keep takingthis medicine for the full time of treatment, even if you begin tofeel better after a few days. If you stop taking this medicine too soon, yoursymptoms may return. Do not miss any doses.
Dosing?The dose of oral vancomycin will be differentfor different patients. Follow your doctor's orders orthe directions on the label. The following information includes onlythe average doses of oral vancomycin. If your dose isdifferent, do not change it unless your doctor tells you to do so.
The number of capsules or teaspoonfuls of solution that you take dependson the strength of the medicine. Also, the number ofdoses you take each day, the time allowed between doses, and the length oftime you take the medicine depend on the medical problem for which you aretaking oral vancomycin.
- For oral dosage forms (capsules, oralsolution):
- For treatment of colitis or severe diarrhea:
- Adults and teenagers?125 to 500 milligrams (mg) every six hoursfor seven to ten days.
- Children?Dose is based on body weight and must be determinedby the doctor. The usual dose is 10 mg per kilogram (4.5 mg per pound) ofbody weight, up to 125 mg. This dose is taken every six hours for seven toten days.
Missed dose?If you miss a dose of this medicine, take it assoon as possible. However, if it is almost time for your next dose, skip themissed dose and go back to your regular dosing schedule. Do not double doses.
Storage?To store this medicine:
- Keep out of the reach of children.
- Store away from heat and direct light.
- Do not store the capsule form of this medicine in the bathroom, nearthe kitchen sink, or in other damp places. Heat or moisture may cause themedicine to break down.
- Store the oral liquid form of vancomycin in the refrigerator becauseheat will cause this medicine to break down. However, keep the medicine fromfreezing. Follow the directions on the label.
- Do not keep outdated medicine or medicine no longer needed. Be surethat any discarded medicine is out of the reach of children.
Precautions While Using This Medicine
It isimportant that your doctor check your progress during and after treatment.This is to make sure that the colitis is cleared up completely.
If the symptoms of your colitis do not improve within a few days, or ifthey become worse, check with your doctor.
If your doctor orders cholestyramine or colestipolfor your colitis, do not take vancomycin by mouth within 3 to 4 hours of takingeither of these medicines. Doing so may keep vancomycin from workingproperly.
If you are taking this medicine for diarrhea causedby other antibiotics, do not take any other diarrhea medicine withoutfirst checking with your health care professional. Other medicines for diarrheamay make your diarrhea worse or make it last longer.
Side Effects of This Medicine
Along with its needed effects, a medicine may cause some unwanted effects.Although not all of these side effects may occur, if they do occur they mayneed medical attention.
Check with your doctor immediately if the followingside effect occurs:
Other side effects may occur that usually do not need medicalattention. These side effects may go away during treatment as your body adjuststo the medicine. However, check with your doctor if any of the following sideeffects continue or are bothersome:
Other side effects not listed above may also occur insome patients. If you notice any other effects, check with your doctor.
Revised: 04/15/1998
